Banerjee also alleged that the government is using the Army for political purposes. “During my long political and administrative life, have never seen such political vendetta by misusing the role of an esteemed organisation (army),” the West Bengal chief minister said in the statement.

Pained over Parrikar’s allegations, she said, “They don’t know how to write to a CM.”

“Don’t think that it behoves a Union government minister to pass near-defamatory remarks on a CM of any State,” she added.

Earlier, senior Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien told the ANI that the party will soon give a ‘befitting reply’ to Parrikar’s letter.

Thepresence of the armyon a crucial Kolkata bridge last week sparked a political fight with the Trinamool Congress alleging the Centre was arm-twisting the state and the BJP blaming Banerjee of politicising a regular military action.

The war of words followed a night of drama after Banerjeerefused to step out of the statesecretariat Nabanna to protest against the “sudden deployment” of the army in the area.

Terming it as “avoidable controversy” over the exercise carried out by the Eastern Command in West Bengal and other states under the jurisdiction to collect information about the movement of heavy vehicles at toll gates, Parrikar, in his letter to Banerjee dated December 8, said it is carried out by all formations of the army all across the country for many years.

He said the exercises are held as per the dates convenient to the army in consultation with agencies of the state government.

“I have been deeply pained by your allegations as reported in the media. If only you had enquired with the agencies concerned of the state government, you would have come to know of the extensive correspondence between the Army and the state agencies including the joint inspection of sites carried out by them,” Parrikar said in his letter to Banerjee.

Describing Indian army as the “most disciplined institution of the country”, he said the nation is proud of their “professionalism and apolitical conduct”.